Happy Birthday Jerry Gray

Good defenses are where he is

Please join me in wishing a happy birthday to Redskins secondary and cornerbacks coach Jerry Gray. Jerry turned 46 on 16 December.

2008 is Jerry's third season with the Redskins, after a trying 2006 Jerry has been a part of two consecutive top ten defenses and in this season particularly the secondary has been the key to Washington's defensive success.

Before becoming a coach Jerry played cornerback for nine seasons in the NFL, seven years for the Los Angeles Rams from 1985 to 1991, one year with the Houston Oilers in 1992 where he was secondary teammates with Redskins safeties coach Steve Jackson, and one season with the Buccaneers in 1993. Jerry made the Pro Bowl four consecutive times between 1986 and 1989 and was MVP in his final Pro Bowl appearance capping his game with a 51 yard interception return for a touchdown.

A two time All-American at safety and two time Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the year at the University of Texas, Jerry was a first round draft by the Rams in 1985. After retiring following the 1993 season, Jerry was an assistant coach at Southern Methodist University for two seasons beginning in 1995. In 1997 at the age of 34 Jerry became the quality control assistant for the Tennessee Oilers under defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Jerry became the Titans defensive backs coach in 1999, a position he held in 2000 when the Titans defense was ranked number one overall and against the pass.

Jerry followed Gregg from Tennessee to Buffalo in 2001 when Gregg became the Bills' head coach, Jerry was promoted to defensive coordinator. In 2003 Jerry's defense was ranked in the top ten overall as well as against the pass and the run. Jerry stayed in Buffalo until 2005 when Gregg, then the Redskins defensive coordinator, brought him to Washington.

Undeniably the play of the defensive backs has been the strength of this season's Redskins defense and Jerry is the coach of that unit. Redskins fans should be happy to have this great coach.

Happy birthday Jerry!



Jerry Gray, Pro Bowl cornerback with the Rams in 1988: Tim DeFrisco from here via here.